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van Tuyll van Serooskereken Rakotomalala S, Stok FM, Yerkes MA, de Wit JBF. A mapping of parenting support policies worldwide to prevent violence against children. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 146:106484. [PMID: 37788589 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While recent systematic reviews indicate that parenting interventions reduce negative parenting behaviours, including child maltreatment, only 26 % of governments worldwide indicate that parenting support programs reach all parents in their country. OBJECTIVE This mapping study investigates which countries have a government policy to provide such parenting support aimed at reducing child-directed violence. SETTING To analyse parenting support within the broad cultural and historical contexts, this study covers all 194 countries and territories worldwide. METHODS A systematic stepwise online search was conducted to establish the existence, or not, of a parenting support policy to prevent violence against children and in the case that a policy was identified, the sectoral policy portfolio in which the policy was published. RESULTS Findings showed that almost half of countries globally have a policy relating to parenting support to prevent child maltreatment. The highest concentration of such policies is in the European, Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Regions and globally parenting support are mainly stand-alone policies or embedded within a child protection policy. CONCLUSIONS Ideas around parenting support have evolved over time however the link between policy and practice as well as the reality of implementation modalities remains unclear. The translation of policy to practice merits further attention if we want to reach every parent in the world who needs it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F Marijn Stok
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Netherlands.
| | - Mara A Yerkes
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Netherlands.
| | - John B F de Wit
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Netherlands.
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Barnish MS, Tan SY, Taeihagh A, Tørnes M, Nelson-Horne RVH, Melendez-Torres GJ. Linking political exposures to child and maternal health outcomes: a realist review. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:127. [PMID: 33435933 PMCID: PMC7802227 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conceptual and theoretical links between politics and public health are longstanding. Internationally comparative systematic review evidence has shown links between four key political exposures - the welfare state, political tradition, democracy and globalisation - on population health outcomes. However, the pathways through which these influences may operate have not been systematically appraised. Therefore, focusing on child and maternal health outcomes, we present a realist re-analysis of the dataset from a recent systematic review. METHODS The database from a recent systematic review on the political determinants of health was used as the data source for this realist review. Included studies from the systematic review were re-evaluated and those relating to child and/or maternal health outcomes were included in the realist synthesis. Initial programme theories were generated through realist engagement with the prior systematic review. These programme theories were adjudicated and refined through detailed engagement with the evidence base using a realist re-synthesis involving two independent reviewers. The revised theories that best corresponded to the evidence base formed the final programme theories. RESULTS Out of the 176 included studies from the systematic review, a total of 67 included child and/or maternal health outcomes and were included in the realist re-analysis. Sixty-three of these studies were ecological and data were collected between 1950 and 2014. Six initial programme theories were generated. Following theory adjudication, three theories in revised form were supported and formed the final programme theories. These related to a more generous welfare state leading to better child and maternal health especially in developed countries through progressive social welfare policies, left-of-centre political tradition leading to lower child mortality and low birth weight especially in developed countries through greater focus on welfare measures, and increased globalisation leading to greater child and infant mortality and youth smoking rates in LMECs through greater influence of multinational corporations and neoliberal trade organisations. CONCLUSION We present a realist re-analysis of a large systematically identified body of evidence on how four key political exposures - the welfare state, democracy, political tradition and globalisation - relate to child and maternal health outcomes. Three final programme theories were supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell S Barnish
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter Medical School, Room 3.09f, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK. .,Evidence Synthesis and Modelling for Health Improvement (ESMI), University of Exeter Medical School, Room 3.09f, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - Si Ying Tan
- Policy Systems Group (PSG), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 16 Evans Road, Singapore, 259363, Singapore
| | - Araz Taeihagh
- Policy Systems Group (PSG), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 16 Evans Road, Singapore, 259363, Singapore
| | - Michelle Tørnes
- Ageing, Clinical and Experimental Research (ACER) Team, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - G J Melendez-Torres
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter Medical School, Room 3.09f, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.,Evidence Synthesis and Modelling for Health Improvement (ESMI), University of Exeter Medical School, Room 3.09f, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
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Kasearu K, Olsson AME. A systemic perspective on children’s well-being in military families in different countries. JOURNAL OF MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh.2019-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kairi Kasearu
- Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Nandi A, Jahagirdar D, Dimitris MC, Labrecque JA, Strumpf EC, Kaufman JS, Vincent I, Atabay E, Harper S, Earle A, Heymann SJ. The Impact of Parental and Medical Leave Policies on Socioeconomic and Health Outcomes in OECD Countries: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature. Milbank Q 2018; 96:434-471. [PMID: 30277601 DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Policy Points: Historically, reforms that have increased the duration of job-protected paid parental leave have improved women's economic outcomes. By targeting the period around childbirth, access to paid parental leave also appears to reduce rates of infant mortality, with breastfeeding representing one potential mechanism. The provision of more generous paid leave entitlements in countries that offer unpaid or short durations of paid leave could help families strike a balance between the competing demands of earning income and attending to personal and family well-being. CONTEXT Policies legislating paid leave from work for new parents, and to attend to individual and family illness, are common across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. However, there exists no comprehensive review of their potential impacts on economic, social, and health outcomes. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on paid leave and socioeconomic and health outcomes. We reviewed 5,538 abstracts and selected 85 published papers on the impact of parental leave policies, 22 papers on the impact of medical leave policies, and 2 papers that evaluated both types of policies. We synthesized the main findings through a narrative description; a meta-analysis was precluded by heterogeneity in policy attributes, policy changes, outcomes, and study designs. FINDINGS We were able to draw several conclusions about the impact of parental leave policies. First, extensions in the duration of paid parental leave to between 6 and 12 months were accompanied by attendant increases in leave-taking and longer durations of leave. Second, there was little evidence that extending the duration of paid leave had negative employment or economic consequences. Third, unpaid leave does not appear to confer the same benefits as paid leave. Fourth, from a population health perspective, increases in paid parental leave were consistently associated with better infant and child health, particularly in terms of lower mortality rates. Fifth, paid paternal leave policies of adequate length and generosity have induced fathers to take additional time off from work following the birth of a child. How medical leave policies for personal or family illness influence health has not been widely studied. CONCLUSIONS There is substantial quasi-experimental evidence to support expansions in the duration of job-protected paid parental leave as an instrument for supporting women's labor force participation, safeguarding women's incomes and earnings, and improving child survival. This has implications, in particular, for countries that offer shorter durations of job-protected paid leave or lack a national paid leave entitlement altogether.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Nandi
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - Deepa Jahagirdar
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - Michelle C Dimitris
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - Jeremy A Labrecque
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - Erin C Strumpf
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University.,Department of Economics, McGill University
| | - Jay S Kaufman
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - Ilona Vincent
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University
| | - Efe Atabay
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University
| | - Sam Harper
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University
| | - Alison Earle
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California
| | - S Jody Heymann
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California
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Sow M, De Spiegelaere M, Raynault MF. Evaluating the effect of income support policies on social health inequalities (SHIs) at birth in Montreal and Brussels using a contextualised comparative approach and model family method: a study protocol. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e024015. [PMID: 30224403 PMCID: PMC6144409 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Assessing the effects of social policies on social health inequalities (SHIs) is a complex issue. Variations in social policy between countries or regions provide natural experiments in policy implementation to perform comparative research. Comparisons are most enlightening when: the object of the evaluation is well defined (types of policies, population groups); the context of policy is analysed (history, implementation); the impact of policy on household poverty is outlined in detail; the influence of various factors (other than poverty) on SHI is taken into consideration. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This study aims to understand how income support policies (ISPs) in Brussels and Montreal influence the poverty level of households receiving social assistance, and how they are associated with SHI at birth. Two cases studies will be carried out from a comparative perspective. The analysis includes four stages : (1) The model family method will be used to compare ISPs and their impact on disposable income and poverty of households receiving social assistance in both regions. (2) Statistical analysis of administrative databases will enable the description and comparison of SHI in adverse pregnancy outcomes across the two regions. (3) Analysis of databases and documents will allow for description of various factors which are likely to interact with poverty and influence SHI at birth. (4) Based on the Diderichsen model, results from the previous stages will be used to formulate hypotheses about the mechanisms by which ISPs contribute to increasing or reducing SHI at birth in both regions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee for Health research of Université de Montréal. In Belgium, the access to linked databases was approved by the Commission for the Protection of Privacy. Databases de-identified according to Belgian and Canadian legislation will be used. Results will be disseminated in scientific publications and will be shared with policy makers and field actors through collaborations with local organisations in Brussels and Montreal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouctar Sow
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Ecole de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal (ESPUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Ecole de santé publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre de recherche Léa Roback sur les inégalités sociales de santé de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Marie-France Raynault
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Ecole de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal (ESPUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche Léa Roback sur les inégalités sociales de santé de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Verhoef M, Plagnol AC, May V. Linking Formal Child Care Characteristics to Children's Socioemotional Well-Being: A Comparative Perspective. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2018; 27:3482-3496. [PMID: 30369778 PMCID: PMC6182724 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-018-1185-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Most research on formal child care and children's outcomes has focused on single countries. We, however, contend that policy context may moderate the association between formal child care characteristics and children's socioemotional well-being. We examined this by comparing the Netherlands, Finland and the UK; three countries that differ regarding family policies. Of these three countries, Finland was recently ranked highest (ranked 1st) with regards to quality of child care in a recent analysis by the Economist, followed by the UK (ranked 3rd) and then the Netherlands (ranked 7th). We hypothesized that children who attend child-care settings in countries with higher-quality formal child-care provision would generally show better socioemotional outcomes. Data from the comparative 'Families 24/7' survey were used, including 990 parents with children aged 0-12. We distinguished between two age groups in our analysis. Results indicated that, compared to the UK, longer hours in formal care were less beneficial in the Netherlands. Furthermore, spending time in formal care during nonstandard hours was more harmful for children in Finland compared to the UK. Lastly, receiving care from multiple caregivers was more disruptive for British children than for Dutch children. No differences were found between Finland and the Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Verhoef
- Department of Sociology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80140, Utrecht, TC 3508 The Netherlands
| | - Anke C. Plagnol
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Vanessa May
- Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives, Department of Sociology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Gunnarsdóttir H, Hensing G, Povlsen L, Petzold M. Relative deprivation in the Nordic countries-child mental health problems in relation to parental financial stress. Eur J Public Health 2015; 26:277-82. [PMID: 26490511 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Nordic welfare system has been acknowledged as favourable for children, successfully contributing to low child mortality and poverty rates. Nevertheless, mental health problems among children and adolescents are common and the economic situation of the family has been highlighted as an important determinant. In spite of similar social, political and cultural structures, the Nordic countries differ; Iceland was most affected by the global financial crisis in 2008. The aim of this study was to examine potential differences in parental financial stress and the associations to child mental health between the Nordic countries as well as age and gender differences. METHODS The study sample consisted of 6330 children aged 4-16 years old included in the 2011 version of the Nordic Study of Children's Health, Wellbeing and Quality of life. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to measure mental health problems. RESULTS In Iceland, 47.7% of the parents reported financial stress while ≤20% did so in the other countries except for Finland (33.5%). However, in case of parental financial stress the OR of mental health problems comparing children to parents with and without financial stress was significantly lower among the Icelandic children (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.15-2.24) than among the others: Denmark OR 3.07 (95% CI 2.15-4.39), Finland OR 2.28 (95% CI 1.60-3.25), Norway OR 2.77 (95% CI 1.86-4.12), Sweden OR 3.31(95% CI 2.26-4.86). No significant age or gender differences in the ORs were observed. CONCLUSIONS Besides socioeconomic situation, relative deprivation should be considered an important determinant of child mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir
- 1 Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Social Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden 2 Department of Health Sciences and NU Academy, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Gunnel Hensing
- 1 Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Social Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lene Povlsen
- 3 Unit for Health Promotion Research, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Max Petzold
- 4 Health Metrics at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden 5 School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Bergqvist K, Yngwe MA, Lundberg O. Understanding the role of welfare state characteristics for health and inequalities - an analytical review. BMC Public Health 2013; 13:1234. [PMID: 24369852 PMCID: PMC3909317 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-1234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The past decade has witnessed a growing body of research on welfare state characteristics and health inequalities but the picture is, despite this, inconsistent. We aim to review this research by focusing on theoretical and methodological differences between studies that at least in part may lead to these mixed findings. Methods Three reviews and relevant bibliographies were manually explored in order to find studies for the review. Related articles were searched for in PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Database searches were done in PubMed and Web of Science. The search period was restricted to 2005-01-01 to 2013-02-28. Fifty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Results Three main approaches to comparative welfare state research are identified; the Regime approach, the Institutional approach, and the Expenditure approach. The Regime approach is the most common and regardless of the empirical regime theory employed and the amendments made to these, results are diverse and contradictory. When stratifying studies according to other features, not much added clarity is achieved. The Institutional approach shows more consistent results; generous policies and benefits seem to be associated with health in a positive way for all people in a population, not only those who are directly affected or targeted. The Expenditure approach finds that social and health spending is associated with increased levels of health and smaller health inequalities in one way or another but the studies are few in numbers making it somewhat difficult to get coherent results. Conclusions Based on earlier reviews and our results we suggest that future research should focus less on welfare regimes and health inequalities and more on a multitude of different types of studies, including larger analyses of social spending and social rights in various policy areas and how these are linked to health in different social strata. But, we also need more detailed evaluation of specific programmes or interventions, as well as more qualitative analyses of the experiences of different types of policies among the people and families that need to draw on the collective resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kersti Bergqvist
- Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Eriksson U, Hochwälder J, Carlsund A, Sellström E. Health outcomes among Swedish children: the role of social capital in the family, school and neighbourhood. Acta Paediatr 2012; 101:513-7. [PMID: 22211735 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02579.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the study was to explore the extent to which Swedish children's perceptions of social capital in the family, school and neighbourhood predicted health complaints and well-being. METHODS The study used data from the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. The sample consisted of 3926 children aged 11-15 years. Correlations and hierarchical multiple linear regression were performed. RESULTS Higher degrees of family, school and neighbourhood social capital corresponded to lower levels of health complaints and higher levels of well-being. Social capital in these three spheres had a cumulative effect on children's health and well-being. CONCLUSIONS Social capital in the family, school and neighbourhood matters for children's health and well-being and the contributions from each context seem to be additive. Besides the family context, investments for improving child health should primarily be in the school, focusing on social relations and on creating safe and cohesive school environments. Neighbourhood social capital is also of importance and so must be taken into consideration when planning child health promotion interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Eriksson
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
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Norström L, Lindberg L, Månsdotter A. Could gender equality in parental leave harm off-springs' mental health? A registry study of the Swedish parental/child cohort of 1988/89. Int J Equity Health 2012; 11:19. [PMID: 22463683 PMCID: PMC3364865 DOI: 10.1186/1475-9276-11-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mental ill-health among children and young adults is a growing public health problem and research into causes involves consideration of family life and gender practice. This study aimed at exploring the association between parents' degree of gender equality in childcare and children's mental ill-health. METHODS The population consisted of Swedish parents and their firstborn child in 1988-1989 (N = 118 595 family units) and the statistical method was multiple logistic regression. Gender equality of childcare was indicated by the division of parental leave (1988-1990), and child mental ill-health was indicated by outpatient mental care (2001-2006) and drug prescription (2005-2008), for anxiety and depression. RESULTS The overall finding was that boys with gender traditional parents (mother dominance in childcare) have lower risk of depression measured by outpatient mental care than boys with gender-equal parents, while girls with gender traditional and gender untraditional parents (father dominance in childcare) have lower risk of anxiety measured by drug prescription than girls with gender-equal parents. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that unequal parenting regarding early childcare, whether traditional or untraditional, is more beneficial for offspring's mental health than equal parenting. However, further research is required to confirm our findings and to explore the pathways through which increased gender equality may influence child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Norström
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lene Lindberg
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Månsdotter
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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